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how-to-read-pointed-hebrew-nikud
Pointed Hebrew or "Nikud" refers to the system of diacritical signs used to represent vowels or distinguish between alternative pronunciations of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Here's a simple guide on how to read Hebrew Nikud:
1. Understand what each sign represents:
Kamatz and Patach: Usually represent an "a" sound, like "bat". Kamatz can sometimes sound like "aw", particularly in Ashkenazi pronunciation.
Tzere and Segol: Usually represent an "e" sound, like "bed".
Hirik: Represents an "i" sound, like "bit".
Cholam and Kubutz: Usually represent an "o" and "u" sound respectively, like "boat" and "boot".
Shva: Can be silent or sound like an "e". It is silent when it follows a syllable that ends with a vowel sound and is pronounced when it follows a syllable that ends with a consonant sound.
Dagesh: A dot in the middle of a letter, can indicate a harder or doubled version of the consonant.
2. Know where the signs are placed:
The vowel signs are usually placed under the consonants they follow, except for the Cholam which is placed above the consonant.
Dagesh is placed inside a letter.
3. Combine consonants and vowels:
When reading a word, start with the consonant, then add the vowel sound that follows it. For example, if you see the letter Bet with a Tzere under it, you would pronounce it as "be".
In words with the Dagesh, pronounce the letter with the indicated harder or doubled sound.
4. Practice:
Practice makes perfect. Try reading simple words at first, then move onto more complex ones. There are many resources online where you can listen to the pronunciation of words to check your understanding.
Remember, there are different traditions of pronunciation (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yemenite, Modern Israeli, etc.), so some of the sounds can vary depending on the tradition. The descriptions provided here are based on Modern Israeli pronunciation.